That's just bad company policy (from your bosses) not caring about it's workers. Shame on them.Of course people need work and its their own discretion not to take it.

@eyelove2shop wrote:

I don't think quantities should be limited. A lot of people who are purchasing large quantities are distributing to churches, shelters or schools. Stop being so judgemental.

I promise you that is not the case in the St. Louis area. My habit is to buy paper products once per month. When I saw an allegedly intelligent friend post on FB about his score and it was more than twice the toilet paper I purchase for the same size household I was flabbergasted. Trader Joe's was one of the first to limit customers to two of any item and no more than one cart full. As was explained to me, they are more than willing to make exceptions and have in some instances. In the early days the buying frenzy was just that, a frenzy of panic buying not anything noble. The stupidity, foolishness and utter selfishness of many people has been on full display. It is not a proud moment in our history.

@KSSPete wrote:

Things are closing down at different rates in different places. Nobody should be getting "pissy" with you for not taking a shop at all.

I can't speak for every scheduling company or MSC right now, but I am down to 3 restaurant shops that are allowing take out, and then the rest are grocery stores.

The restaurants, as long as they are open and following the local bans and laws at the moment, I see no issue asking shoppers if they want to go. If they do, great. If not, well hopefully we'll see you back when you feel more comfortable.

The grocery stores, same thing. But what strikes me on shoppers complaining about these is that people still need groceries. People will still be going there. We're not trying to force you to go out somewhere you wouldn't already be going (not ever trying to force you to do anything anyway). If you are not heading to that store, no worries. If you are, why not get the pay and reimbursement offered, especially when it is very likely you will be out of work soon?

I'm perfectly fine with everyone's opinions. To be called shameful, or some of the other things I've been called, for trying to do my job and help support the business as a whole that is about to take a huge hit, is just not fair in my opinion. Especially when no laws are being broken, and the shops remaining are complying with the health department.

From here, I'll graciously back out of this discussion.

I will never, ever shop for KSS again, even when all of this over. Yes: shame on you.

Every time someone (yes, even someone who would be going to the store anyway) even takes longer at the grocery store than they otherwise would need to, or a grocery worker spends time answering mystery shop questions instead of doing whatever else they need to be doing in these highly-impacted stores right now, the risk of the virus spreading rises.

This is an emergency -- hospitals across the country are about to be overburdened -- is KSS not paying attention? It's not even like these last few shops are going to be the difference between the industry going under or staying afloat (and even if they were, has KSS then priced out the monetary value of human life? At ~$12 a mystery shop? My goodness, that could not be more textbook shameful.)

I've made note of MSPs, schedulers, and clients that haven't taken this seriously enough, and I look forward to adjusting both my personal and professional shopping choices post-COVID-19 accordingly.

I feel that the criticism directed at KSS Pete is unwarranted. I am not certain that some of those who criticize the recent restaurant assignments understand the details involved. Residents of my area are still permitted at this time to buy food in markets and to order "to go" in restaurants. Eating a meal inside of a store or restaurant is prohibited. I needed food and would have gone out in any event to obtain meals. KSS Pete provided a method for me to obtain meals in keeping with the municipal and state health and safety mandates, set forth in response to the coronavirus pandemic. I was never asked to violate any of the current city or state regulations. I abided by all of the safety rules and suggestions, and I am grateful for the food that I received and for KSS Pete and his unfailing kindness, help and concern.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2020 07:30AM by Beastie.

There is no such thing as any areas that are not currently affected. That is how it is spreading! Everyone must stay inside and practice social distancing. Scheduling jobs is irresponsible and can lead to illness or death.

Circle K is still scheduling April alcohol compliance checks...

@azncollege wrote:

Circle K is still scheduling April alcohol compliance checks...

I am assuming that they are scheduling then and reserving the right to cancel if things get worse and not better. I am assuming this for every MSC that is asking for APRIL shops.

I also think that this will not be over by April. Just my opinion.

Beastie opines--I feel that the criticism directed at KSS Pete is unwarranted.

Bob agrees--As do I. I have no recollection of ever communicating or working with Pete, but will in the future endeavor to correct that situation. In all of his past postings, I have never read any that contained even a smidgen of unprofessionalism, with each projecting an aura of business that was and is quite admirable.

@shopperbob wrote:

Beastie opines--I feel that the criticism directed at KSS Pete is unwarranted.

Bob agrees--As do I. I have no recollection of ever communicating or working with Pete, but will in the future endeavor to correct that situation. In all of his past postings, I have never read any that contained even a smidgen of unprofessionalism, with each projecting an aura of business that was and is quite admirable.

Pete appears to have unfairly become a focus for negative attention when in fact he's simply generously chimed in to give voice to an entire industry that is largely unrepresented here. It seems to me that this is often his role here and I appreciate it greatly. Pete brings us a glimpse of the internal functioning at MSCs that we would not have without him. We are all the better for it.

I have not had occasion to work with Pete to date but have long been impressed by his contributions here on the forum. In this case he stuck his head out of the rabbit hole and generously offered us information about the MSC's decision making. If we take off his head for it, he may not be around to be so generous next time. I don't think that's a good outcome.

We are independent contractors. The operative word there is independent. The choice to take, complete, or cancel a shop during this time (and every other time) belongs to each of us...to you. Pete has an opinion. The MSCs have opinions. We each make our choice. I'm choosing to pull back at this time. That's my choice, not Pete's.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2020 10:53PM by JustForFun.

Pete's da bomb.

A total professional.

Confero
I am considering reporting this one. It’s for this week.

A professional WHAT, exactly?

@ceasesmith wrote:

Pete's da bomb.

A total professional.

HAHAHA! I needed that chuckle.

LOL!

I have no issue with KSSPete or anyone else in MSC world. They have a job to do, responsibilities, and lives.

I am grateful that MSC's are working to fill potential jobs and notifying when postponement and/or cancellation occur.

I also have no specific issue with Pete. I have a good working relationship with him.

He and I may disagree on what's an appropriate action for scheduling companies during this crisis, but everyone is welcome to disagree with me....

If it is true that sheltering in place orders and lesser restrictions will last until June (or longer), your disagreement will dissipate.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

I also have no specific issue with Pete. I have a good working relationship with him.

He and I may disagree on what's an appropriate action for scheduling companies during this crisis, but everyone is welcome to disagree with me....

Email to day from A Closer Look to allow shoppers to opt out on any shops temporarily:

"Your safety is critical to us during these unprecedented times. As we work to help our clients fulfill their current needs, it is important for us to understand if and when you are in a place to be able to complete shops for our clients.

We have launched a new feature called Pause Interval and it is located on your Profile page on our site. This feature allows you to place your account on hold with us, during times when you do not wish to perform shops for our clients, but don't want to completely disable your account. We are asking all our shoppers to please use this feature if you are in a place that is under quarantine or if you do not feel comfortable completing shops at this time.

During a Pause Interval, you will not receive event opportunity notifications from us. However, you will still have the ability to log in to your account and see and assign yourself to available events. If you do assign yourself to an event while you have a pause interval set, you will still receive information and notifications about that specific event.

A Closer Look greatly values your efforts. We want to support you in any way we can and hope that you will find this new feature helpful.

Thank you for all that you do, please take care of yourself and your families!"

Sounds like a bad idea. I call the places I am supposed to check and ask some questions, also email. Then I drop by quickly, get the business card, receipt, pictures, etc. and leave. I take a look at who is around. This is not the proper way but I get the info I need with minimal risk. I have been taking a lot of phone shops. Some pay well, others average. No $4 phone shops. I would avoid any food and beverage, inventory, retail, if I were you. Too risky.

Let me see. You are opposed to shelter in place orders meant to control the spread so you continue to go out in public for activities not deemed essential. Meanwhile, you are not opposed to faking a mystery shop to minimize your own risk. Any teachers we have on the forum could probably use this to make a lesson plan on morals, ethics and social responsibility.

If that’s your real name, you better hope that folks from the MSC aren’t in this thread. Knowingly ignoring guidelines will not only get the shop rejected, but will get you removed as a shopper. If you are not willing to do a shop correctly, just don’t do it at all.

@John-Joseph Capocci wrote:

Sounds like a bad idea. I call the places I am supposed to check and ask some questions, also email. Then I drop by quickly, get the business card, receipt, pictures, etc. and leave. I take a look at who is around. This is not the proper way but I get the info I need with minimal risk. I have been taking a lot of phone shops. Some pay well, others average. No $4 phone shops. I would avoid any food and beverage, inventory, retail, if I were you. Too risky.

Teachers are evil.

@LisaSTL wrote:

Let me see. You are opposed to shelter in place orders meant to control the spread so you continue to go out in public for activities not deemed essential. Meanwhile, you are not opposed to faking a mystery shop to minimize your own risk. Any teachers we have on the forum could probably use this to make a lesson plan on morals, ethics and social responsibility.

Reminds me of another John we know.

@kimmiemae wrote:

Reminds me of another John we know.

You mean John Jacob Jingleheimerschmidt??

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2020 03:08PM by guysmom.

I am so impressed with you right now because you spelled that correctly. We need a hat's off emoji...lol

@guysmom wrote:

@kimmiemae wrote:

Reminds me of another John we know.

You mean John Jacob Jingleheimerschmidt??

Johnb something...sure ain't Johnny B. Good.

You give Johns a bad name. Yes, even the kind that use prostitutes.

[Insert bidet joke here]

Johnny Rotten?

@kimmiemae wrote:

[Insert bidet joke here]

We should leave that one for Tarantado.

@sestrahelena wrote:

@kimmiemae wrote:

[Insert bidet joke here]

We should leave that one for Tarantado.

I think our boy, R&B legend and Klay Thompson doppelganger, Jon B, ran out of toilet paper to wiped his tears, as he couldn't take the criticism before he departed the forums.... I don't think a bidet would have replaced toilet paper, in this case.

Did people see Customer Impact's recent statement?

They will be paying shoppers even when clients have not paid them. That is a tremendous decision.

If/when the industry resumes and goes back to "normal," I will remember this and hope others do too.